Khmer beauty queen and model Truong Thi May is a Buddhist more devoted to her family than her career.
Khmer beauty queen and model Truong Thi May is a Buddhist more devoted to her family than her career.A model model
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Thanh Nien News (Hanoi)
Up and coming model Truong Thi May is known for her Khmer background, her shiny, cascading hair and her towering 1.72-meter figure. But most don’t know that she’s also a dedicated student of Buddhism.
May’s face and dark complexion have become increasingly recognizable on the covers of magazines and catwalks since she took the first runner-up spot at the The Gioi Phu Nu (World of Women) magazine’s 2006 Miss Photogenic contest and the 2007 Miss Ethnic Vietnam pageant.
Her elegant runway walk, unique style and tan skin have made her a standout newcomer on the local fashion scene.
Born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 1988 to Khmer-Vietnamese parents, May grew up in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, where much of Vietnam’s Khmer population lives.
She had a difficult childhood as her father died when she was only nine. As the eldest of five siblings, supporting the family was her responsibility.
She was able to cope with her family’s hardships through the help of her mother and a Buddhist monk who became a mentor and father figure.
It was her master who encouraged her to enter beauty contests. He said she could make the Khmer community in Vietnam proud.
Khmer beauty queen and model Truong Thi May is a Buddhist more devoted to her family than her career.
“My modeling career has allowed me to fully support my family,” May says, adding that she hopes to become a singer and actress some day.
Though she was offered a lead role in director Phuong Dien’s much anticipated film Am Tinh (Negative), May’s mother says the young model turned it down. She says May’s Buddhist belief did not mesh with the film, which depicts in detail the rise and fall of model Lam Uyen Nhi, who went from being Miss Vietnam to a life of drugs, prostitution and AIDS.
Dharma kid
Perhaps May’s most distinct quality is her determination to avoid the decadence of the entertainment world.
Her stage name, Margaritte Truong, was given to her by her Buddhist master. The name represents her teacher’s wish that she remain as pure and innocent as a white daisy.
The 20-year-old has been practicing austere Buddhism and following a strict vegetarian diet since she was 13.
She begins her day getting up at 4 every morning, performing 108 kowtows and reading prayers.
Her family has been devoutly Buddhist for several generations and all members are vegetarians.
Her younger sister, brother and cousins are Buddhist monks and nuns.
“If destiny decides it so, I’ll also be a nun in the future,” May says, adding that she always feels at home in a pagoda.
May says her best friend is a nun and they often discuss Buddhist philosophy. “I’m most happy on weekends when my mom and I visit my master, sister and brother in Dong Nai Province. We attend sermons, do charity work, or go on pilgrimages (giving and collecting alms for others) with the clergy,” she says.
“Buddhism teaches me how to be a good person and a good child in the family. It also teaches me about life and humanity,” she says.
“It has also showed me how short and fleeting life is, so I make the most of my time and try to do good deeds,” she adds.
The religion has also taught her tolerance and forgiveness. After being the first runner-up at the 2007 Miss Ethnic Vietnam held in the highland town of Da Lat last December, May was accused of misrepresenting her ethnicity.
She later proved that she is of Khmer origin. “I’m a Khmer in appearance and at heart and I’m proud of that,” she says.
“My family are Buddhists, so we try to avoid disputes or mentioning unpleasant past things,” May says when asked why she did not demand an apology from the man who accused her.
“I was not worried that it would stain my name, because according to Buddhist teachings, nothing will get in our way if we do nothing wrong.”
Reported by Hai Mien
May’s face and dark complexion have become increasingly recognizable on the covers of magazines and catwalks since she took the first runner-up spot at the The Gioi Phu Nu (World of Women) magazine’s 2006 Miss Photogenic contest and the 2007 Miss Ethnic Vietnam pageant.
Her elegant runway walk, unique style and tan skin have made her a standout newcomer on the local fashion scene.
Born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 1988 to Khmer-Vietnamese parents, May grew up in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, where much of Vietnam’s Khmer population lives.
She had a difficult childhood as her father died when she was only nine. As the eldest of five siblings, supporting the family was her responsibility.
She was able to cope with her family’s hardships through the help of her mother and a Buddhist monk who became a mentor and father figure.
It was her master who encouraged her to enter beauty contests. He said she could make the Khmer community in Vietnam proud.
Khmer beauty queen and model Truong Thi May is a Buddhist more devoted to her family than her career.
“My modeling career has allowed me to fully support my family,” May says, adding that she hopes to become a singer and actress some day.
Though she was offered a lead role in director Phuong Dien’s much anticipated film Am Tinh (Negative), May’s mother says the young model turned it down. She says May’s Buddhist belief did not mesh with the film, which depicts in detail the rise and fall of model Lam Uyen Nhi, who went from being Miss Vietnam to a life of drugs, prostitution and AIDS.
Dharma kid
Perhaps May’s most distinct quality is her determination to avoid the decadence of the entertainment world.
Her stage name, Margaritte Truong, was given to her by her Buddhist master. The name represents her teacher’s wish that she remain as pure and innocent as a white daisy.
The 20-year-old has been practicing austere Buddhism and following a strict vegetarian diet since she was 13.
She begins her day getting up at 4 every morning, performing 108 kowtows and reading prayers.
Her family has been devoutly Buddhist for several generations and all members are vegetarians.
Her younger sister, brother and cousins are Buddhist monks and nuns.
“If destiny decides it so, I’ll also be a nun in the future,” May says, adding that she always feels at home in a pagoda.
May says her best friend is a nun and they often discuss Buddhist philosophy. “I’m most happy on weekends when my mom and I visit my master, sister and brother in Dong Nai Province. We attend sermons, do charity work, or go on pilgrimages (giving and collecting alms for others) with the clergy,” she says.
“Buddhism teaches me how to be a good person and a good child in the family. It also teaches me about life and humanity,” she says.
“It has also showed me how short and fleeting life is, so I make the most of my time and try to do good deeds,” she adds.
The religion has also taught her tolerance and forgiveness. After being the first runner-up at the 2007 Miss Ethnic Vietnam held in the highland town of Da Lat last December, May was accused of misrepresenting her ethnicity.
She later proved that she is of Khmer origin. “I’m a Khmer in appearance and at heart and I’m proud of that,” she says.
“My family are Buddhists, so we try to avoid disputes or mentioning unpleasant past things,” May says when asked why she did not demand an apology from the man who accused her.
“I was not worried that it would stain my name, because according to Buddhist teachings, nothing will get in our way if we do nothing wrong.”
Reported by Hai Mien
23 comments:
I'm very proud of her! beause I'm khmerkrom beauty myseft! she knew who she is! not just like the brainwash one. I get to see her in kampuchea krom by december I'm back to my proud land of kampuchea krom.
What out for the fucking son-of-bitch Hun Sen! This son-of-bitch will fuck anything that moves in his way.
This dumb fucked is a fucking horny little toad.
She's really hot!
1:17 PM
Please don't let the dumb fucked prime minister see her, because he'll rape her then kill her. Again, please don't let this son-of-bitch see her. I'm certain that his dick is erecting for the opportunity.
You dumb fucked son-of-bitch prime minister shit!
Damn! the bitch looks 100% yuon!
I hope what she said was from her heart, not from a script written by Hanoi.
Be cautious Khmer brothers/sisters!
You hope? Where did you ever seen real Khmer looks like that, dude?
10:09 PM
Your retarded PM's wife looks better than that!
Better tell her to stay away from Ah Sen; this fucker is drooling for this juicy pussy.
Nope, PM will never touched a piece of cunt that has been raped by Ah Savage Scam Rainxy.
To comment3:53PM
This comment comes from yuon or siam, because they are jealous of our type of beauty women, of our beautiful country. Everything beautiful is not Khmer.
I do recall you that our tan skin is very appreciated than the white Yuon or Siam skin. We have the real charm to attract, to fascinate others,
Ths commentator 5:53 is only a bastard by treating her a BITCH
I would like to to slap him if I could.
Robos na la or keu Khmer!
Ah kancheas yuon sour pouch 5:59Pm!
Only Truong Thi Mai knows who she is ,and no one can. "Truong" is Khmer Krom lastname too.
If I hope her story is true, then I would think Mai is a Khmer Krom person. I, myself, am a Khmer Krom person, and Mai's character fits well as a Khmer Krom lady.
Khmer Krom Pride!
Yummy!
If she declares she is Khmer, She is Khmer.
That's better than Ah Hun Sen kanjeas Yuon!
congratulations, our khmer krom brothers and sisters. please keep up the good work. please make our khmer people proud. god bless all khmer people.
She's gorgeous!
Sorry baby it will never work for us..... you're vegetarian and I'm a meatitarian. lol!!!
But if you decided to change your eating habit..... holla!!
She's Khmer Krom for god sake. When she entered the pagent, the Vietnamese were already accusing her of lying about her ethnicity. They thought that she meant to put "Vietnamese Kinh" instead of "Kh'mer." She is quite beautiful after all and no she doesn't look 100% Vietnamese, you must be fucking retarded not to see it in her facial features that she is ethnic Khmer Krom. The picture makes her look light skinned but she is dark.
It makes perfect sense that if you ( Ms. Thi May ) declare yourself Khmer and truthfully love Khmer, why not move back home? change your name to Khmer fully. Wouldn't you think that you will be more sucessfull promoting yourself in Cambodia rather than staying in Vietnam? Do you speak Khmer also? By saying you're Khmer and love Khmer in a foreign land, you probably won't gain much. Get your agent. Find your way to get home or try to promote your self in Phnom Pehn. Will see what happen.
God Bless your mother's heart for allowing to you to retain your root as Cambodian and continue to live in your father's loving memory until today. Best wishes & good luck!
Ordinary Khmers
She needs help. Anyone? or any executive producer in Cambodia can write May into your script? Please make sure no abuse and no porn.
Ordinary Khmers,
She's better off staying where she's at.
Your suggestions for her to come to Phnom penh will
only exploit/jeopardize her and the lives of her family. There is nothing in Phnom Penh,.... but a bunch of Ah Kvack and his perverted pedophiles.
For a piece of Khmer Land, you can have her, and there are a lot where that came from, just like the old days.
Khmer Leu, Khmer Kandal, and Khmer Krom are the geography of Srok Khmer! And all Khmer can move to anywhere in Srok Khmer they want to and they don't need the fucking Vietnamese government to tell them where they can't go!
No one can deny that the fucking Vietnamese government still practices racist policy in favor of the Vietnamese race! It is the fucking Vietnamese government who continue to separate the Khmer Krom from the rest of the Khmer Kandal and Khmer Leu which only promoting self determination to be independence Khmer Krom from Vietnam!
She's already used to the comfortable life in Vietnam. She will probably get fucked and knocked up by some Yuon guy. She and her kids will likely become Yuon.
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